Bailee Iorg, 8-year-old with prosthetic leg, not allowed to compete in US gymnastics event

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WBIR) - A Knoxville girl is changing the world of gymnastics.

Bailee Iorg is a power tumbler at Tataru's Gymnastics Tumbling and Cheerleading in West Knoxville. The 8-year-old is missing half of her left leg and needs to use a prosthetic leg.

"The first moment she walked in, she was literally just bouncing from leg to leg just going everywhere. I was like, 'Alright, I hope I'm ready for this,'" said Mike Tataru, co-owner of Tataru's Gymnastics Tumbling and Cheerleading.

"It inspires me and it makes me feel good and it makes me feel like I can do anything," Bailee said.

But there once was a time when Bailee's parents, Rachel and Isaac Iorg, thought she would never be able to participate in a sport like gymnastics.

A birth defect left Bailee with her left foot bent backwards.

"At four months old they cut her foot off. The hardest experience of my life as a parent to this day," Rachel said.

Growing up, Rachel and Isaac made sure Bailee could take care of herself.

A year ago, at the age of seven, they agreed to let her try gymnastics.

"To watch her go in there like, 'There's nothing wrong with me,' it melts my heart. I'm so proud of her. She's amazing. I hope someday I can be as good as my daughter is at eight years old. I hope I can be as emotionally and physically strong as her because she is amazing," Rachel said.

Now, Bailee faces a new challenge.

After a year in gymnastics, she is almost ready to compete in USA Gymnastics but cannot.